Editing Paper Mario (video game) (section)

==Gameplay==
[[File:Peach'sCastle.jpg|thumb|left|alt=refer to caption|Mario and one of his partners, Parakarry, walking through Toad Town. The game's visuals feature [[two-dimensional]] character cut-out designs contained within [[3D computer graphics|three-dimensional]] backgrounds.]]

''Paper Mario'' combines traditional [[role-playing game]] (RPG) elements with concepts and features from the [[Mario (franchise)|''Mario'' series]].<ref name="Eurogamer">{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-papermario-n64|title=Paper Mario|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=February 5, 2001|access-date=June 1, 2022|first=Tom|last=Bramwell|archive-date=November 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121201551/https://www.eurogamer.net/r-papermario-n64|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GameSpot">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/paper-mario-review/1900-2682319/|title=GameSpot: Paper Mario review|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=February 5, 2001|access-date=June 1, 2022|last=Stahl|first=Ben|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130819190418/http://uk.gamespot.com/paper-mario/reviews/paper-mario-review-2682319/|archive-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref> For the majority of the game, the player controls Mario, who can jump and use his hammer to overcome physical obstacles placed in the game's [[overworld]]. Many of the game's puzzles and boundaries are based upon the abilities of Mario's partners, who each have a specialized skill required for progression in the game.<ref name="RPGamer"/> The player accumulates partners as they advance into different locations; only one partner can accompany Mario in the overworld, although the player can interchange them at any time.

These characters also assist Mario in the game's turn-based battles, where the damage inflicted against them results in temporary paralysis as the characters do not have individual [[Health (gaming)|HP]] statistics.<ref name="RPGFan">{{cite web|url=https://www.rpgfan.com/review/paper-mario-2/|title=Paper Mario|website=RPGFan|access-date=June 1, 2022|first= Andrew|last=DeMario|date=May 28, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907170117/http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/papermario/Paper_Mario.html|archive-date=September 7, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Attacks in the game are similar to those in traditional RPGs, although the player can influence the power of a move when attacking or defending by timing a button-press accurately or performing some other action command as required.<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/02/06/paper-mario|title=Paper Mario Review|website=[[IGN]]|date=February 5, 2001|access-date=June 1, 2022|last=Casamassina|first=Matt|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908175849/http://uk.ign64.ign.com/articles/150/150453p1.html|archive-date=September 8, 2009}}</ref> Mario and his partners have a finite capacity to perform special moves, with each of these consuming a particular number of flower points (FP) when performed. Such statistics can be increased by earning Star Points ([[experience points]]) in combat to [[Experience point#Level-based progression|level up]].<ref name="GameSpot"/> There is also an on-screen gauge to display Star Energy, which is required to perform another type of move that accumulates in number as the player advances through the game. The player can locate hidden battle upgrades in the game's overworld, which promotes one partner character to a new rank at a time.<ref name="RPGFan"/>

Progression through ''Paper Mario'' depends upon interaction with the game's [[non-player character]]s (NPCs), who would often offer clues or detail the next event in the storyline. As in other RPGs, the player can find or purchase items from NPCs to help in and outside of combat.<ref name="GameSpot"/> Badges can also be obtained that yield bonuses ranging from added moves to gradual health restoration during combat; each consumes a set number of Badge Points (BP), meaning Mario can only equip a limited number of badges at a time.<ref name="IGN"/> [[Princess Peach]] is playable at particular points in the game as a recurring quest line.<ref name="GameSpot"/> The objectives and actions of each transition to Peach vary, although most are [[Stealth game|stealth]]-based.